red wine allergy

I seem to be allergic to red wine and wonder if this is connected to my having asthma? When I drink red wine I often find that my nose starts to run, and becomes blocked, and I feel as if I have a cold. I have also noticed that some red wine seems worse and wonder why this is? Any ideas?

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I sympathise - I had a nasty reaction to white wine a couple of months ago.

There are many compounds in wine that can potentially cause reactions, including particular types of natural moulds and yeasts that grow on the surface of the grapes and are often individual to that particular batch of grapes and wine produced from it. This can make it very difficult to work out what's causing the allergy and to choose 'safe' products.

One of the main classes of compounds in wine that affects asthmatics, though, are the sulphites - these are added to many wines as preservatives, and are commonly found in greater quantities in cheap wines. Many food products also have sulphite based preservatives, but these are often in smaller amounts, so some people who can't tolerate sulphites in wine can tolerate foods that contain them.

Your allergy probably is indirectly connected to your asthma - both are indications that you are 'atopic', which simply means that you are prone to suffering from allergic disease.

Hope this helps and you find an alternative non-allergy provoking drink - I like Pimms myself although it's really a summer drink and it definately isn't summer here any more!

Em H

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I have also had the experience of having a reaction to red wine - my asthma symptoms became worse and I had a feeling like I had a head cold. I don't usually drink wine often, but stay clear of red wine these days...prefer a wee pint of guinness - which luckily doesn't seem to affect my asthma!

Sarah x